Captain America #139
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeCaptain America #139 is a quietly pivotal Bronze Age installment that introduced two characters who would plant deep roots in the Marvel Universe: Leila Taylor, who became Sam Wilson's long-running romantic interest, and Sergeant Muldoon, a recurring foil for Steve Rogers in his new civilian identity. The issue also marks Steve Rogers' debut as an undercover NYPD patrolman — a grounded, street-level alter ego that gave the character a durable social context for years of storytelling ahead. Simultaneously, the Falcon debuted his 'Hawk Hook,' a gauntlet-launched grappling device that served as the character's primary mobility tool until Black Panther built him proper flight wings in issue #170, making this issue a documented step in the Falcon's evolution from hand-to-hand brawler into a fully aerial superhero.
In "The Badge and the Betrayal," Steve Rogers takes a dramatic step beyond his role as Captain America by joining the police force, trading his iconic shield for a badge. With the Falcon now operating solo, the duo's partnership faces its greatest test yet—loyalty, duty, and the weight of justice are put to the ultimate trial. Written by Stan Lee and illustrated by John Romita with inks by Tony Mortellaro, this pivotal issue features cover art by John Romita.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue was written and edited by Stan Lee, with pencils and inks by John Romita Sr. (assisted on inks by Tony Mortellaro) and lettering by Artie Simek — a tight, largely in-house Marvel bullpen production. Romita Sr. later confirmed in an interview published in Alter Ego Vol. 3, #35 (2004) that he consciously modeled Sergeant Muldoon on Jack Kirby, framing the character as a spiritual successor to the WWII-era Sergeant Duffy from Steve Rogers' wartime past. The issue hit newsstands on April 13, 1971, carrying a July 1971 cover date, during the early stretch of the series' retitled run as Captain America and the Falcon — a branding change that had formally elevated Sam Wilson to co-star status earlier that year.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Leila Taylor, who becomes Sam Wilson/Falcon's romantic interest; her surname is not revealed until Captain America #188.
- First appearance of Sergeant Brian Muldoon, a recurring NYPD character modeled by John Romita Sr. on Jack Kirby; Muldoon appears regularly through Captain America #159.
- Marks Steve Rogers' debut as an undercover New York City police patrolman, a civilian identity he maintains across multiple subsequent issues.
- The Falcon debuts his 'Hawk Hook,' a compact grapnel-and-line device built into his right gauntlet that allows him to swing between rooftops; he uses it until receiving Wakandan-built wings in Captain America #170.
- Story title is 'The Badge and the Betrayal!'; the issue also features a short framing story titled 'The Fateful Choice!' with cover and art by John Romita Sr.; Stan Lee is credited as writer and editor.
- Grey Gargoyle (Paul Pierre Duval) appears as the arc's primary antagonist; Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, and Sharon Carter (Agent 13) are among the supporting cast.
- The issue has been collected in Essential Captain America Vol. 3 (2006), Captain America Omnibus Vol. 2 (2016), Captain America Epic Collection: Hero or Hoax? (which collects #139–159), and Marvel Masterworks: Captain America Volume Six.
- The issue was also reprinted internationally, including in the Italian Capitan America (Editoriale Corno) #52 (1973) and the Brazilian O Capitão Z #7 (1973).
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Reprinted in O Capitão Z (Edição especial em côres) [Capitão América] #7 (1973), Captain America #6 (1979), Essential Captain America #3 (2006), Marvel Masterworks: Captain America #6 (2012), Captain America Omnibus #2 (2016), Captain America Epic Collection #4 (2018), Capitan America #52
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